The Division is recognized as a global centre of excellence on issues related to investment and enterprise for sustainable development. Built on several decades of successful experience, its staff provide international expertise in research and policy analysis, inter-governmental consensus-building, and technical assistance to over 150 countries. Its flagship product is the annual World Investment Report and its main global stakeholder event is the biannual World Investment Forum. The Division also maintains the interactive World Investment Network of over 9,000 members to disseminate and promote all its work on investment and enterprise.

As part of the 59th session of the Trade and Development Board, member States endorsed UNCTAD’s Investment Policy Framework for Sustainable Development (IPFSD), noting the crucial roles it plays in the implementation of the Doha Mandate adopted at the UNCTAD XIII ministerial conference in Doha, Qatar in April of this year.

It is important for developing countries to match their strategies for attracting foreign investment with their plans for sustainable economic growth, the UNCTAD Trade and Development Board (TDB) was told this morning.

Africa has a bright future for attracting investment, but must use the opportunity to boost industry and improve infrastructure, H.E. Mr. Rob Davies, Minister of Trade and Industry of South Africa told the UNCTAD Trade and Development Board today during the Board's discussions under its agenda item on "Investment for Development."